At 13:10 -0700 28/4/11, Starlight Solar, Larry Crutcher wrote:
Hugh,One last point about the Solar Boost IPN product: Once you have programmed the 2512iX charge controller from the IPN Pro, the controller retains the information and can be installed as a stand-alone unit. That means you can have a custom programmed charge controller for just a little more than the Tristar you are considering.
thanks.
I don't get your final comment. The group has shared a vast amount of information in this thread. If you review all that has been said, I think you will be able to make the right choice for your customer.
I am sorry if i seem ungrateful for the many useful ideas that have been voiced. I suppose I just like to try to oversimplify things. At present my over-simplification is to say that, for opportunity charging, the only thing that really matters is not to exceed the temperature-compensated absorption voltage. Until now I had imagined that it was dangerous to prolong the absorption voltage stage. But maybe float is not so important as making sure that the battery gets enough charge to prevent premature failure. By the time the charging current has dropped to the transition current level it is too low to do any damage and can be prolonged indefinitely (until wind and sun stop anyway). This would not work in a grid connected situation, but seems to fit for mine. I am sure you guys will point out if I have got this wrong.
-- Hugh Piggott Scoraig http://www.scoraigwind.co.uk
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